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cnbc.com
U.S. can hold AI talks with China because ‘we are in the lead,’ Bessent tells CNBC as nations plan safety protocol
The U.S. Treasury Secretary also said President Donald Trump would likely comment on the Taiwan issue in coming days.
cnbc.com
Five takeaways from the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing so far
The two leaders agreed to forge more cooperative ties in a high-stakes meeting full of friendly gestures between two countries that have been battling for years.
theguardian.com
War, inflation and Trump’s tariffs have shaken the US. Why does the stock market keep going up?
Wall Street has proved incredibly resilient to instability, and while consumer confidence has dipped, shares have soaredIt was a dark Friday for Wall Street on 27 March. Oil prices were climbing and the war with Iran raged on. Markets responded accordingly, with the Dow and Nasdaq entering correction territory, falling more than 10% below their peak, after a month of selloffs.Fast forward seven weeks later to 13 May, and the situation in Iran only looked marginally better. Oil prices were high, and the strait of Hormuz was still closed. Peace talks with Iran seemed tenuous, even with the pressures of high gas prices. Donald Trump on Wednesday said he is “not even a little bit” motivated by Americans’ financial situation to end the war. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK economy sees surprise growth in March despite Iran war
The economy grew by 0.3% in the month, official figures show, confounding analysts' forecasts of a small contraction.
theguardian.com
Reeves warns against risking economic stability with leadership battle, after UK growth beats forecasts in March – business live
Chancellor says UK is in ‘a stronger position’ to deal with the costs of the Iran war, and warns against plunging the country ‘into chaos’ with leadership battleUK economy records surprise 0.3% growth despite Iran warAnalysis: Reeves says ‘if economy ain’t broke, don’t fix it’Rachel Reeves has also suggested she’ll announce details of help with the cost of living crisis next week.Speaking to BBC News this morning, the chancellor says:Next week I’ll be setting out more detail on how, because of the numbers that we’ve seen today, we’ll be able to put more money in to support people – familes and businesses – with the conflict challenges that we know we’re facing.GDP rose by a bumper 0.6% q/q in Q1 (consensus and CE forecast 0.6%), but this will be the high point for the year given the effects of the war in Iran will sap growth from Q2. In our baseline scenario, the economy doesn’t grow at all in Q2 and Q3. Prolonged political instability is an extra downside risk to our forecasts.Risks remain clearly tilted to the downside moving forwards, principally as a result of the ongoing Middle East conflict, and subsequent surge in energy prices, which will in turn impact the economy in the manner of a significant negative demand shock, over the next couple of quarters.Added to which, renewed political uncertainty in Westminster is also likely to act as a significant headwind to the economy at large, not only delaying major investment decisions, but with said uncertainty having also resulted in considerably tighter financial conditions as a result of the recent sell-off in gilts across the curve.The UK economy outperformed in the first quarter of this year with growth reaching 0.6% quarter over quarter, despite being at odds with lacklustre survey indicators during this period. This continues the recent pattern of unexpectedly strong growth in the first quarter of the year, while stockpiling of some goods ahead of anticipated shortages arising from the Iran war lifted demand in March.“Nevertheless, recession risks have risen, and we now expect the UK economy to contract mildly in the second and third quarters of this year. The main driver is a prolonged energy price shock pushing headline inflation above 4.0% in the coming months, and the resulting pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates to counter emerging ‘second-round’ effects. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Bond markets are bracing for UK PM Starmer's political rivals to break cover
The prime minister's colleagues could be ready to mutiny, with leadership bids potentially being announced Thursday.
cnbc.com
Xi asks Trump if U.S. and China can avoid 'Thucydides Trap' at high-stakes summit
U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday morning for the start of a high-stakes summit that runs through Friday.
cnbc.com
Polestar CEO tells CNBC ‘pump anxiety’ has made EVs ‘all about money’
The EV maker is seeing an increased demand for both used and new cars as fuel prices have gone up following the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz.
cnbc.com
Cisco's stock pops 17% on surging AI orders, as company says it's cutting almost 4,000 jobs
Cisco's AI story has finally started resonating with Wall Street, with the stock hitting a record late last year and continuing to rally in 2026.
bbc.com
Cuba has run out of diesel and oil, energy minister says
The minister says the situation in Cuba is "extremely tense", as a US-led blockade of oil to the country causes widespread power cuts.
cnbc.com
Nvidia's Jensen Huang on China trip: ‘President Trump asked me to come’
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday landed in Beijing for the high-stakes summit with China.
cnbc.com
Iran war fallout forces Singapore Airlines-backed Air India to cancel 27% of international flights
Air India, a carrier co-owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, plans to scale back over a quarter of its international flights from June as rising costs bite.
cnbc.com
Oil rises as IEA flags greater volatility ahead, OPEC cuts demand forecast
OPEC cut its demand growth estimates for 2026 to about 1.2 million barrels per day.
theguardian.com
‘Inevitable’ jet fuel shortages will drive up air fares this summer, says Willie Walsh
Impact of disruption from Iran war may be felt into 2027 even if strait of Hormuz reopens, says aviation body bossIncreases in air fares for travellers in Europe are “inevitable” over the peak summer period because of the high cost of jet fuel, according to the head of the international aviation body.While some airlines faced with weak demand have reduced their European fares recently, Willie Walsh, the former British Airways boss who leads the International Air Transport Association, said there was no way carriers could absorb the extra costs in the long run. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Changes to PIP payments
Finance expert Laura Pomfret explains to PIP payments.
cnbc.com
UK grows 0.6% in the first quarter — before the Iran war really started to hit global economy
The data will provide a ray of comfort for the Labour government, which is under pressure.
cnbc.com
Asia-Pacific stocks trade mixed as Trump lands in Beijing for high-stakes Xi meeting
Asia markets traded mixed ahead of closely watched Trump-Xi summit on trade, tariffs and technology restrictions.
cnbc.com
BTS to headline World Cup Final halftime show with Madonna, Shakira; Hybe shares jump 7.2%
The seven-member boy band will take the stage alongside Madonna and Shakira
cnbc.com
Trump-Xi summit revives China tech rally hopes as U.S. reportedly clears Nvidia H200 sales
Market watchers are betting that the Trump-Xi summit could extend trade truce and lift Chinese equities.
cnbc.com
Burberry says turnaround on track as Americas and China fuel strong growth
Full-year revenue came in largely in line with expectations at £2.4 billion.
cnbc.com
European markets open higher as politics dominates the news agenda
European stocks opened broadly higher Thursday as investors keep an eye on developments in the U.K. and U.S. President Donald Trump's trip to China.
cnbc.com
Cuba says oil and diesel supplies have run dry under U.S. sanctions
A Cuban official said the situation is “extremely tense” as blackouts sparked protests in Havana on Wednesday.
theguardian.com
‘There’s a risk of another Liz Truss moment’: City raises spectre of bond market meltdown again
As Keir Starmer’s leadership totters, investors warn a Labour leadership contest ignoring public finances and market realpolitik could be disastrousBusiness live – latest updatesUK economy records surprise 0.3% growth despite Iran warAnalysis: Reeves says ‘if economy ain’t broke, don’t fix it’A rise in borrowing costs and warnings to avoid a “Liz Truss moment”. As Keir Starmer faces a potential leadership challenge, the spectre of the bond market looms large.Amid febrile conditions in Westminster, the prospect of Britain switching prime ministers for a sixth time in seven years has fuelled a sharp sell-off in the market for UK government debt. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Trump and Xi exchange compliments on Day 1 in Beijing
President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump exchange compliments on day 1 of their highly anticipated meeting in Beijing.
bbc.com
HMRC to use AI from British tech firm to spot fraud and tax return errors
Quantexa, a financial data platform, won the £175m contract to spot fraud and tax return errors.
cnbc.com
Goldman Sachs warns UK T-bills are no 'magic bullet' for UK fiscal woes as borrowing costs surge
The U.K. government could look to issue more shorter-dated debt in a bid to ease its overall funding costs.
bbc.com
Australian giant Coles misled shoppers with fake discounts, court rules
The decision, which comes amid similar case against Woolworths, could mean significant penalties.
cnbc.com
Cerebras prices IPO above expected range, as Wall Street braces for AI tsunami
Cerebras raised $5.55 billion in its IPO, and with the chipmaker's offering, investors are gearing up for some even bigger AI deals later this year.
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: Trump-Xi meeting could test India’s positioning as China counterweight
For more than two decades, consecutive U.S. administrations have seen India as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
cnbc.com
Japan's global defense business may be on the cusp of a big breakout
Can Japan be a major player in the international defense sector, like its neighbor South Korea?
cnbc.com
Analysis: Trump finally gets his man at the Fed. Will Kevin Warsh disappoint him?
Kevin Warsh received the fewest votes of any Fed chair in history. Will it cripple him?
cnbc.com
Kevin Warsh wins Senate confirmation as the next Federal Reserve chair
In the most divisive vote ever for a Fed chair, Warsh, 56, won confirmation to take over for Jerome Powell.
bbc.com
Why big tech is betting on cute mascots
The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.
bbc.com
Warning higher Europe air fares 'inevitable' due to Iran war
Flying by air will get more expensive as oil prices remain high, says international industry body boss.
bbc.com
Trump's Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh confirmed by US Senate
Kevin Warsh was confirmed by the narrowest margin since the role required a Senate confirmation vote.
theguardian.com
US Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, replacing Jerome Powell
Warsh will serve four-year term as chair, taking over amid rising inflation and pressure from Trump to lower ratesThe US Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve, one of the most powerful roles in the federal government that holds enormous sway over the economy.The 54-45 Senate vote on Wednesday was split along party lines, with the exception of the Democratic senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, who joined the Republican majority. It was most divisive confirmation vote for the position in history. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Milka maker milked shoppers over size of chocolate bars, German court rules
Brand owner Mondelēz was accused of reducing weight of Alpine Milk bar from 100g to 90g without significantly altering the packagingMany chocolate lovers consider shrinkflation a serious crime – and they have been vindicated after a German court ruled that the makers of Milka cheated consumers by cutting the bar’s size, while keeping the wrapper the same.The three-week case in a regional court was brought by Hamburg’s consumer protection office. It accused the chocolate brand’s US owner Mondelēz of deceiving shoppers by cutting the weight of Milka’s classic Alpine Milk bar from 100g to 90g without significantly altering the distinctive purple packaging. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on the king’s speech: an agenda for a government that lacks conviction | Editorial
Keir Starmer’s programme is fatally limited by the timidity of an election manifesto that shied away from hard argumentsEnding 14 years of Conservative rule was supposed to bring an end to dysfunctional government. In the speech that launched his 2024 general election campaign, Sir Keir Starmer said that “a vote for Labour is a vote for stability … a vote to stop the chaos”. Less than two years later, Sir Keir’s government looks no sturdier than its predecessors. The prime minister’s chances of serving a full term in office look slim.There are as many reasons for this precipitous decline as there are Labour MPs calling for a change of direction. The common analysis is that a project branded by the single word “change” has neither transformed people’s lives for the better nor given them confidence that a transformation is coming. For many voters, the prime minister is the embodiment of a miserable status quo.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Alibaba jumps as it strikes bullish tone on AI investments, even as profit plunges
Alibaba on Wednesday said its core profitability plunged in the March quarter amid heavy investments in tech and e-commerce.
theguardian.com
The key questions for Nigel Farage over £5m gift from crypto-billionaire
Reform UK leader insists the sum did not have to be declared but there are also other aspects of his finances to be addressedFarage faces inquiry over £5m giftNigel Farage has been dogged by questions about his finances since the Guardian revealed he received a £5m gift from a donor in 2024.Although he insists the gift did not have to be declared, several important questions remain unanswered. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Chinese court awards compensation to sacked worker replaced by AI
Case attracts widespread attention as example of China balancing enthusiastic adoption of AI with job securityA court in China has ruled in favour of a worker whose company replaced him with artificial intelligence (AI), awarding him more than £28,000 in compensation.The worker, whose surname is Zhou, joined a tech company in the eastern city of Hangzhou in 2022 as a quality assurance supervisor overseeing large language models used in AI products. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump mega-donors pause Wisconsin development project, citing economic uncertainty
Uline, owned by billionaire Republicans Richard and Liz Uihlein, halts construction of a new facility in KenoshaUline, a business and shipping supplies company owned by billionaire Trump supporters Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, is pausing the construction of a new distribution facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin, citing economic uncertainty.The construction pause comes in a key battleground state, where Trump won in 2016 and 2024, but lost to Biden in 2020. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
'Bond markets on edge' as King Charles sets out fragile UK government's agenda
U.K. gilts and bonds faced heavy selling pressure in response to the latest 'Starmer drama', as the prime minister faced down rivals ahead of the King's Speech.
theguardian.com
‘Build it and they will come’: the hopes new life for former lido will revive Weston-super-Mare
Council has voted to lease the Tropicana to entertainment company Live Nation which plans to turn abandoned space into events venueThe Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare was once a shimmering art deco lido, a premier coastal jewel where thousands flocked to bathe in the Somerset sun.But as the decades passed since its 1937 opening and an era of cheap air fares and Mediterranean holidays arrived, the lido’s lustre dimmed and it was closed in 2000. For 15 years, it sat as a hollowed-out shell, a sad monument to a left-behind town. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,’ says Trump amid Iran talks
With US inflation at a three-year high, US president insisted he’s not focused on economic hardship sparked by the conflictSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump has said the growing financial pressure inflicted on Americans by the war on Iran is “not even a little bit” motivating him to make a peace deal with Tehran.With US inflation at a three-year high, and fuel costs still climbing after a sharp rise in oil prices, the US president said on Tuesday that he is not focused on the economic hardship sparked by the conflict. Continue reading...
bbc.com
WhatsApp launches totally private 'incognito' conversations with its AI chatbot
A cyber security expert says deleting chat history could lead to a lack of accountability if things go wrong.
theguardian.com
‘This is not a World Cup for the people’: residents in host cities sound alarm over housing affordability
Organizers fear Fifa event will deepen crisis as short-term listings proliferate and sweeps displace unhoused peopleMore than 10 million people are expected to visit the US for the World Cup this summer. However, where and how to accommodate these visitors has been a concern among residents and affordable housing advocates in host cities from Seattle to Atlanta.Hotels remain under-booked in America’s 11 host cities, while short-term rental listings in some cities have increased by as much as 30% in recent weeks. To incentivize homeowners and landlords to become hosts during the World Cup, platforms such as Airbnb are offering a $750 sign-up bonus, with some rental listings already reaching $6,000 a night. Advocates worry that an increase in short-term listings will lead to a tighter rental market and higher rents for residents in host cities. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Ex-rugby star on the joys of his own burger stall
Ex-England and Leicester Tigers hooker Tom Youngs says the new venture brings families to the farm.
theguardian.com
Meta profited from illegal scam ads, California county lawsuit alleges
Santa Clara county claims Meta Platforms violated the state’s false advertising and unfair business practices lawsCalifornia’s Santa Clara county has sued Meta Platforms, alleging it has profited from Facebook and Instagram ads promoting scams in violation of California’s false advertising and unfair business practices laws.The lawsuit – filed on Monday in Santa Clara county superior court on behalf of all California residents – accuses the social media giant of tolerating fraudulent advertising on a global basis. The suit seeks restitution, civil damages and an order prohibiting Meta from engaging in unfair business practices. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Is the USA ready for the World Cup? – Football Weekly podcast
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos and Leander Schaerlaeckens to preview the World Cup with one month to go until kick offRate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.On today’s podcast: With a month to go until the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, we’re joined by two experts in the US to discuss ticket prices, Iran, visas, ICE, Donald Trump, Gianni Infantino, public transport and general enthusiasm for the tournament. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Nvidia's Jensen Huang bets on this British startup to build 'next frontier' of AI
Months-old Ineffable Intelligence announced a record $1.1 billion seed round in April.
theguardian.com
‘Irresponsible’: backlash as Utah approves datacenter twice the size of Manhattan
Facility would require more power than entire state uses and suck up vast amount of water in drought-stricken areaA plan to create one of the world’s largest datacenters, a gargantuan project spanning an area more than twice the size of Manhattan, has provoked a furious public backlash in Utah amid concerns over its vast energy use and impact upon the state’s stressed water supplies.The Stratos artificial intelligence datacenter footprint will cover more than 40,000 acres (62 sq miles) over three sites in Box Elder county in north-western Utah. The facility will require about 9GW of power, which is more than the entire state of Utah currently consumes, and suck up a significant amount of water in an area that has been hit by severe drought in recent years. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Shrinking Milka chocolate bar tricked consumers, says German court
A court in Bremen has found the manufacturer of the classic Alpine Milk chocolate bar guilty of "shrinkflation".
bbc.com
Tui sees summer sales fall 10% due to cautious UK customers
The travel operator says customers are delaying booking holidays over Iran war concerns.
theguardian.com
Datacentres using 6% of electricity supply in UK and US, research says
Industry body says energy consumption driven by AI up 15% globally in two years as it warns of societal backlashDatacentres are consuming 6% of electricity in the UK and US, with the growing strain of AI on energy supplies prompting community resistance, according to research.The proportion of electricity used by vast warehouses stacked with microchips to power AI and the internet has risen 15% worldwide in the past two years as annual global investment in datacentres approaches $1tn (£740bn) – nearly 1% of the global economy, according to the International Data Center Authority (IDCA). Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why are UK prices rising more quickly?
The war in Iran has pushed UK Inflation further above the Bank of England's 2% target.
theguardian.com
1MDB financier Jho Low seeks pardon from Donald Trump
Fugitive faces charges including corruption and money laundering in US and Malaysia for role he allegedly played in scandalThe fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, a central figure in the multibillion-dollar scandal at the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), is reportedly seeking a pardon from the US president, Donald Trump.Low faces multiple charges including corruption and money laundering in the US and Malaysia for the important role he allegedly played in the misappropriation of at least $4.5bn (£3.3bn) from 1MDB. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Beware what you tell your AI chatbot. It’s not a shrink – it’s a snitch | Arwa Mahdawi
In a case of ‘oh dear diary’, the OpenAI president Greg Brockman is having to read extracts from his musings about Elon Musk in court. It’s a terrifying reminder that what’s divulged to AI really isn’t privateThe hottest new read of 2026 may well be The Secret Diary of Greg Brockman, Aged 38¾. It’s got everything: feuding billionaires, scheming CEOs and a perhaps somewhat unreliable narrator. You won’t find it in the library, but you can watch Brockman, a co-founder and president of OpenAI, being forced to read the juiciest bits out loud in court.Before you ask ChatGPT to explain, here’s the backstory: Elon Musk is in a legal battle with Brockman and the OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman. Musk, a former board member of OpenAI, is accusing the men of violating the AI firm’s founding agreement by turning it into a for-profit entity. Meanwhile, Altman et al are arguing Musk is just upset he’s not in control of the company and wants to bring down his competition. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The lollipop people crisis: what does the road rage against them say about Britain today?
They just want to help children safely across the road on their way to and from school. Yet lollipop people are having to wear body cameras after an increase in abusive and dangerous drivers. How did things get so out of hand?There aren’t many jobs that often involve jumping out of the path of speeding cars – but for the lollipop people of Britain today, this is the sad reality. And it doesn’t stop there: aggression, swearing and middle fingers are just a few examples of the intimidation and abuse they face on our roads.“Oh my God, I mean, abuse of lollipop people? What has the world come to?” says Lynne Gorrara. It’s a crisp, sunny afternoon in Ipswich and the 61-year-old is holding a towering stop sign above her head, clearing a crossing for a stream of schoolchildren. This spot – on a narrow residential road, with a hospital in one direction and shops in the other – is notorious for abusive drivers. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘You have to be where the pollution is’: the inventor hoping to fix your washing machine to stop microplastics
Matter Industries founder Adam Root has developed a filter to trap microfibres at home and on an industrial scale. But is it just a drop in the ocean?The dinky device slots seamlessly into the modest space above my washing machine. A pipe snakes down from it, drawing in wastewater from my clothes washes. At the end of each wash cycle, the machine makes a polite whirring noise: that’s the sound of the groundbreaking bit of technology working, according to its inventor, Adam Root. That invention is a microplastics filter.“The most common thing we hear [from customers] is: ‘I cannot believe how much material is coming out of the washing machine,’” says Root. “Somebody sent me [photos of] dinner-platefuls.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang joins other US bosses on Trump trip to China
Invitation to be part of group including Elon Musk and Tim Cook highlights American AI and tech ambitionsThe billionaire chief executive of the chipmaker Nvidia, Jensen Huang, has joined Donald Trump’s China delegation after a reported last-minute invitation, highlighting the US’s AI and tech ambitions.Huang will join a roster of US bosses including the Tesla chief executive and X owner, Elon Musk, the Apple chief executive, Tim Cook, and Goldman Sachs’s David Solomon at Trump’s 36-hour meeting with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Elon Musk and Jensen Huang among CEOs joining Trump on China trip
More than a dozen US executives have joined the president on his visit, where he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
theguardian.com
Why was the NDIS so severely cut? And your other 2026 federal budget questions answered – video
How can Labor say changes to property taxes are a win for young people, when they also lock in boomers’ ability to negatively gear their investment properties? Why is the NDIS receiving such severe cuts? Guardian Australia’s business reporter Luca Ittimani answers these questions about the 2026 federal budget and more This bold budget has grasped the nettle of tax and housing – but it may not be enough to move the needle for younger AustraliansBudget 2026 Australia: Jim Chalmers goes for broke in federal budget facing twin threats of housing pain and Iran war disasterExplore all of our 2026 Australia federal budget coverage Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump-Xi China summit: five key issues on the agenda
The US president has arrived in Beijing to much pomp and ceremony. Iran, Taiwan, trade, AI and drugs look set to dominate talks at the summitTrump-Xi summit liveDonald Trump has arrived in China to much pomp and ceremony. His state visit – the first by the US president in nearly a decade – comes amid a time of geopolitical upheaval, a new and intractable conflict in the Middle East, and a sometimes rocky relationship between the world’s two major superpowers.Trump began his trip by describing the Chinese President Xi Jinping as a friend, and promising the US-China relationship “is going to be better than ever”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What do Japanese crisps have to do with the Iran war?
Calbee says it will temporarily switch to black and white packaging as ink supplies have been disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
theguardian.com
Decoding America: Trump takes tech bros to China – podcast
On the eve of Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing, co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine how the US president’s approach to relations with Xi Jinping has changed since he first ran for office, and what both leaders expect to get from the meeting. They also look at the tech CEOs travelling with Trump, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook, and why trade will be such a focus of the visit.Also: how did Trump’s ballroom blow out to its billion-dollar price tag? And who will pay for it? Continue reading...
bbc.com
Glassmaker questions future of UK manufacturing
Bristol Blue Glass says rising energy costs and taxes have forced its closure.
bbc.com
London traders hit by 'king of mangoes' shortage
London’s Alphonso mango supply is down this year due to fewer imports and higher prices for shoppers.
bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
theguardian.com
Labour needs a battle of ideas now, not a scramble to snatch the keys to No 10 | Rafael Behr
Removing Starmer solves the problem of an unpopular leader, but without a coherent alternative agenda his successor won’t fare much betterLabour has spent much of the past year paralysed by competing fears. MPs’ dread of facing voters with Keir Starmer as prime minister has been kept in check by their recoil from the process of replacing him. They know the prime minister is an electoral liability; they know that the electorate takes a dim view of chaotic, regicidal parties that showcase disunity and factional rancour when they are supposed to be running the country.Impatience with Starmer’s leadership has, until now, been neutralised by reluctance to gamble on a contest that might replace him with someone worse. Last week’s local and devolved ballots changed the calculus. Labour MPs now have indisputable evidence that they are cruising towards nationwide electoral oblivion. A growing number think the trajectory will not change if the leader stays the same.The future starts with us: Gordon Brown in conversation. On Thursday 10 September, join Hugh Muir and Gordon Brown to discuss the intricate connections between global instability and civic decline, as explored in Brown’s new book, The Future Starts With Us. Book tickets here or at guardian.liveRafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Public health at risk across Asia as Iran crisis sends price of cooking gas soaring
Families turn to dirty fuels such as firewood, bringing fears over air pollution and fragility of energy transitionIn the ramshackle lanes of a south Delhi slum, Afshana Khatoon crouched wearily on her haunches and began lighting a small pile of firewood.She had only just returned from six hours spent trudging through the urban forests and dry parks of India’s capital looking for kindling to turn into a makeshift stove. As the unforgiving summer heat soared above 40C, she had walked for miles, piling the sticks and fallen branches into a bundle on her head while sweat ran down her face. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump puts Taiwan arms sales, Hong Kong jailed activist Lai on agenda ahead of meeting with Xi
Trump said Monday that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and the imprisonment of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai would be among the issues at the summit in Beijing.
theguardian.com
Is Big Brother watching you shop? – podcast
From supermarkets to corner shops, live facial recognition could be coming to retailers near you. Jessica Murray on the AI systems increasingly used by the police and storesLive facial recognition is being hailed as a powerful new frontier in the fight against crime, not only by police but by private companies too. Retailers from supermarkets to corner shops hope it will help them fight back against shoplifting.But the Guardian’s social affairs correspondent, Jessica Murray, points out that it will also expand surveillance into more and more public spaces. And the technology doesn’t always get it right. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
For Chinese exporters, Iran worries eclipse tariff woes as Trump, Xi prepare to meet
Heading into the summit, Beijing and Washington will likely reaffirm their shared intention to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore stability in the region.
bbc.com
Elon Musk said control of OpenAI should go to his children, Sam Altman tells jury
Sam Altman said Elon Musk tried many times for total control of OpenAI, which he's now suing.
theguardian.com
GameStop hits the limits of credibility with $55.5bn eBay bid | Nils Pratley
The ‘meme stock’ company is remembered for Reddit traders sending its share price into orbit but its move on the auction site looks less likely to take offGameStop’s $55.5bn bid for eBay rejected as ‘neither credible nor attractive’“Neither credible nor attractive.” No, not a line from a junior minister’s resignation letter on Tuesday. It was eBay’s succinct appraisal of the bizarre $55.5bn (£41bn) takeover offer from video games retailer GameStop, an affair that offers light distraction from the sight of UK 10-year gilt yields at 5%-plus.To recap: GameStop is the “meme stock” company that became famous a few years ago when amateur traders on a Reddit forum piled in furiously in an attempt to burn the short-sellers who were betting on the struggling retailer’s demise. Surprisingly, the Redditers succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. The squeeze drove up GameStop’s share price hundredfold, inflicting hell on serious hedge funds and making the company’s chief executive, Ryan Cohen, an anti-establishment hero. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Pity the poor billionaires – demands for higher taxes must feel hurtful | Arwa Mahdawi
No wonder they are upset by the slogan ‘tax the rich’. Despite their wealth increasing 81% since 2020, they need our emotional support now more than everWon’t anyone think of the poor, poor, billionaires? Their endless money can buy them political power, but it can’t buy them love. Instead of being worshipped by the hoi polloi, titans of industry are denounced! Despised! Disrespected! Insert another D-word of your own!Thankfully, class solidarity is strong among the super-rich. Steve Roth bravely brought attention to the plight of his fellow billionaires during a recent earnings call. “I consider the phrase ‘tax the rich’ … spit out with anger and contempt by politicians … to be just as hateful as some disgusting racial slurs,” the Vornado Realty Trust CEO said. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Behind Big Oil’s first-quarter beat: The quiet rise of trading desks
Europe's oil supermajors highlighted trading contributions as they reported stronger-than-expected profits through the first three months of the year.
theguardian.com
The end of typing? Why workers are suddenly ditching their keyboards
Employees are now whispering to AI voice dictation tools rather than clacking the keys. Will ‘voicepilling’ make everyone more productive – or just more annoying?Name: Voicepilled.Age: Reid Hoffman first declared himself “voicepilled” in the autumn of last year. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The global sand crisis: it’s being used up faster than it can be replaced
It is the most extracted solid material on Earth – but this extraction can threaten ecosystems and livelihoodsMalé is one of the world’s most overcrowded cities, but it faces double pressure. As well as a growing population, the capital of the Maldives is also threatened by rising sea levels. Owing to climate breakdown, its living space is shrinking.So the justification for a land reclamation project seemed clear. Take sand from elsewhere in the archipelago and use it to build up the land available for Malé’s people. What could go wrong? After all, it’s only sand, right? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘There’s too much risk’: Britons on changing holiday plans amid Iran war
Prospect of flight cancellations and petrol shortages prompt people to switch from air and road to rail and busThe Middle East crisis, now in its 11th week, has resulted in higher fuel prices for drivers and prompted fears of jet fuel shortages, rising air fares and cancelled flights.Given the uncertain outlook, prospect of higher travel costs and potential disruption, we asked whether people had changed their holiday plans. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump heads to China to spread the gospel of American tech while emulating Xi Jinping on AI
Tim Cook and Elon Musk, among other tech CEOS, will accompany the US president on a trip to ChinaDonald Trump is heading to China this week. If his guest list is any clue, he wants to discuss technology with Xi Jinping, though perhaps after the war in Iran.On Monday, news broke that outgoing Apple CEO, Tim Cook, as well as SpaceX and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, would join the US president. Other guests from the tech sphere include Meta’s recently appointed president, Dina Powell McCormick; Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of computer memory maker Micron; Chuck Robbins, CEO of longtime telecom giant Cisco; and Cristiano Amon, CEO of semiconductor maker Qualcomm, according to a White House official. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
British Steel nationalisation: what went wrong, and what happens now?
Keir Starmer’s plan for full state ownership marks latest chapter in Scunthorpe plant’s troubled historyFull nationalisation of British Steel expected in king’s speechNils Pratley: More questions than answers on the futureFour queens – blast furnaces named after Anne, Bess (Elizabeth), Victoria and Mary – loom over the British Steel works at Scunthorpe. Within days the queens could be under public ownership, after Keir Starmer on Monday promised legislation to nationalise the plant.“Strong nations in a world like this need to make steel,” Starmer said on Monday in a speech. The prime minister was hoping decisive action would fend off challenges to his leadership. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Royal Caribbean ‘unfairly’ charged me over booking for disabled son
We had booked a cruise for him and his carers, but we had a string of problems when we tried to change namesIn November 2024, I booked a cruise for my wife, myself and our severely disabled son for this July. I’d booked well in advance to ensure an accessible cabin for my son. At home, he needs round-the-clock care from a rota of eight carers, so we made extra bookings for three to accompany him.Because the care team has other commitments, I couldn’t confirm their names at the time of booking and was told to do so by this April, when the balance had to be paid. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse
The BYD factory being built in Szeged, Hungary, is facing scrutiny after reports of EU labour laws being violated among the Chinese migrant workforce Multilingual signs in most airports in the EU opt for English, but in Hungary, there is also Chinese, making it easy for migrant workers flying in to staff China’s first electric car plant in Europe – due to open in 2027.The third language was introduced in 2019 as the recently ousted leader Viktor Orbán embarked on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China, positioning himself as its most reliable friend in Europe. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Asia's trillion-dollar titans are powering — and distorting — its fastest growing stock markets
Taiwan's Taiex and South Korea's Kospi stock markets have been seeing record breaking rallies. The stunning surge leaves experts wondering if this growth hinges largely on a few AI-linked semiconductor giants.
bbc.com
Not so dusty: How tech is changing woodworking
Woodworking shops have been transformed by tech to make tools safer and more precise.
bbc.com
Ovo energy customers urged not to panic as takeover planned
All existing tariffs will be honoured in full under a planned deal that could create one of Britain's largest energy suppliers.
theguardian.com
Can you move your pension to dodge inheritance tax? Fraudsters say so
Criminals exploit confusion or anxiety over new IHT rules by offering a ‘safe haven’ for savings potsThe caller pitches a great deal. Shift the moneysaved in your pension and reinvest it in a scheme overseas where you can avoid it being caught under next year’s changes to the UK’s inheritance tax (IHT) system.From April next year, any money left in a defined contribution pension after your death, which is most workplace and all private pensions, will be pulled into the IHT net. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I was fined £500 for putting a cigarette butt in a refuse sack
Haringey council’s penalty seems extortionate – especially when other authorities charge lower amountsI read your story about a man fined £500 for dropping a cigarette butt on the pavement.I have been issued with a £500 fixed-penalty notice (FPN) by Haringey council for putting a butt in a refuse sack awaiting collection on the street. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK savings: six traps to avoid when you’re finding a new deal
If you are looking for a new account, there are some good rates around, but also pitfalls to watch out forEarning as much as 7% on your savings sounds great – but what’s the catch? The top-paying accounts often come with strings attached, which could mean your money is not working as hard as you thought.That’s important because there is a lot of cash sitting in fixed-rate savings accounts that are about to reach the end of their term. The total amount in accounts maturing between April and June is £90bn, according to the savings app Spring – and that money will need to find a new home. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Haggling prices and chasing debts - tradespeople hit with cost of living headache
More than half of tradespeople have seen an increase of late payments compared to a year ago, a survey finds.
bbc.com
Council confirms £300 heating oil support
"Residents should not be left behind simply because they are off the gas grid," council leader says.
bbc.com
Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence
While hackers used to sneak into computer systems, intimidation of staff is now more common.
bbc.com
This couple lost £1,000 after their flight was cancelled - here is what to check so you don't
It's essential to read your policy details carefully - here's a checklist to tick off before you set off on your travels.
bbc.com
How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy
Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.
bbc.com
How Sir David Attenborough built 'Green Hollywood'
The city is responsible for 80% of the world's natural history TV shows.
bbc.com
Watch: Drone delivers first Amazon parcels in UK
The tech giant says it hopes to slowly expand the service as the demand for ultra-fast deliveries grows.
bbc.com
Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict
Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage.
bbc.com
Why did Paddington Bear need a police escort?
Rav Wilding joins us with the latest crime headlines. From a shocking BBC investigation exposing scammers abusing dogs to con animal lovers, to how to spot a shop used by organised crime — plus why Paddington Bear needed a police escort
bbc.com
Why are there so many vape shops on our high streets?
New research has shown a 28% growth in shops selling vape products in Scottish towns and cities.
bbc.com
Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff
Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Will AI lead to more accurate opinion polls?
It's cheaper and faster to collect people's opinions using AI, but will it make polls more accurate?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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